No matter who you are or what you do, you need to be kind to yourself. When I teach a class on research methods to my students, I incorporate a section on self-care for scholars into lesson. Audre Lorde stated, "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare." How true she was!

To feel prepared and vibrant for work, for school, and for life, we need to take time for ourselves before we start taking care of others. Caring for ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally can help anchor us in the present moment. This means we bring our best self to work each day.

Integrating self-care practices into our daily routines takes purposeful planning. The bottom line is that you have to want to make wellness a high priority in your life. Self-case isn't selfish; it's selfless. We are better equipped to serve others when we have invested the time to learn how to best care for ourselves.

Self-care practices don't have to be elaborate or expensive. Most of them are quick and free. Here are some suggestions: